Breakthrough of the Blank Page...

This blog was written on July 15th and for some reason did not post to the website - So here it is now.

A few weeks ago I had written about an artist friend who was starting a group for foreign born artists to make available a platform for them to voice thoughts, concerns, dilemmas, or ideas. I finally made it to one of their sessions. This was the third time the group was meeting since its birth and the focus was on writing. Oh Boy - time to face my fear, so to speak. The closest I've come to writing has been letters, emails and now blogging. Ok, I've also 'facilitated' the writing of plays in the classroom. But I knew going in that I was going to be challenged, that I was going to work on breaking down those walls of uncertainty and fear.

And I am proud to say I wrote a monologue AND a scene. A million thanks to Larry Pontius for so patiently guiding us through some structured projects. It really made it simpler and got me out of my head. It was definitely a struggle looking at that blank page, and being on the clock. And the more you thought about what this was going to be about, the longer the page remained blank. The more you let the pen and thoughts flow, the more of a thrill and a fun ride it was going to be. At the end of those 5 or 15 minutes we had to show something. There was no judgment at that table, only support and encouragement.

If you asked me where these characters would go, or where they were coming from, or what happened to them in the end, I wouldn't have any definitive answers yet, but I'm sure if I sat down to write again their journey would continue through my pen. Its all about the discipline at the end of the day. But for now I am happy and proud - I took what may be a baby step for some, but was a giant leap for me!

-- Farah Bala